Originally Posted by PorkSoda

I spent the last 6 years in a flying gig with a federal law enforcement agency and just got hired by a legacy carrier. If you really like to fly, take the airline path. The federal law enforcement aviation job sounds exciting and great, but unless you think you will be content flying C-206's or other light fixed-wing for the rest of your career, stay away. Most agencies are finding themselves with a shrinking budget and aging fleets which means airplanes are getting parked or are flying very little. Also, consider that you'll typically find yourself serving in cities associated with high crime rates or that have less appeal. Not to mention poor schools for your kids, etc.

The federal job does have some appeal. You can be lazy, accepting that you don't have to do anything for your pay check except show up every day, going for weeks and sometimes months without ever flying. There is something to be said for the government benefits and pay, and the pension that MIGHT be there when you retire. Being able to carry a firearm, and, on occasion, doing something related to law enforcement has it's appeal, but you'll find that in the pilot positions you'll do very little that resembles law enforcement except maybe airborne surveillance. However, for the next several years anyway, plan on barely maintaining currency in ill-equipped, aging aircraft.